#basicallyimgay masterlist

part one

Basically I'm Gay (ao3) - ChainedKura

Summary: Dan is editing his coming out video when a deep sadness takes over his body. Lucky for him, he counts with a Phil Lester on his side that will do everything in his power to make his partner feel better.

Basically I'm Gay: Dan's True Colors (ao3) - trancelover99

Summary: This was it: The one video that would change his entire life. A part of himself that Dan pushed deep down for YEARS. With a little encouragement from Phil, Dan uploads his coming out video. But will he be prepared for the comments that follow?

Before the Storm (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Before Dan films Basically I’m Gay.

distraction (ao3) - possumdnp

Summary: In a few days, Dan's coming out video is going to be posted, and he needs a distraction from the anxiety.

Do You Trust Me? (ao3) - danrifics

Summary: “Do you trust me?” Dan asks, taking Phil’s hand. “I need to know that you trust me with this”

Dan has an important decision about how to include Phil in his coming out video.

Everything Changes (ao3) - true_serendipity

Summary: Dan experiences some emotional turmoil whilst attempting to write the script for his new video. Phil is there to help.

Like I Lived My Whole Life Before The First Light (ao3) - sleepyslag (galacticneighbor)

Summary: Dan shares part of the script for Basically I'm Gay with Phil.

long live the walls we crashed through (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: the little victories are important.

obviously, obviously (ao3) - lionxlioness

Summary: Shorttt drabble about what it was like for Dan to decide to talk about Phil in BIG

partner in crime (ao3) - blossomsphan

Summary: a lightless basement apartment, sometime in 2020. dan muses on labels and dedications.

Proud of You (ao3) - LittleMissLemonDrop95

Summary: Just after filming his video " Basically I'm Gay", Dan starts to have moments of self doubt and worries that he shouldn't post it, only to be comforted by Phil.

To Live Your Truth (ao3) - httphowell

Summary: After a painful breakup, Dan struggles to live his truth while Phil gives him space to grow. Through coming out videos, a bestselling book, and years apart, they each confront their past and feelings. When fate reunites them years later, they find their way back to love and healing.

Until now. Literally. (ao3) - orphan_account

Basically I'm Gay: Dan's True Colors (ao3) - trancelover99

Summary: This was it: The one video that would change his entire life. A part of himself that Dan pushed deep down for YEARS. With a little encouragement from Phil, Dan uploads his coming out video. But will he be prepared for the comments that follow?

Big crowds means judging eyes (ao3) - Tarredion

Summary: From their hotel room Dan and Phil can see the crowds they'll encounter at this years vidcon. In a post-coming out world, comfort is needed for the prospect of many judging eyes

Devilishly Endearing (ao3) - Nefertiti1052 (Succubusphan)

Summary: Dan and Phil are making a mess in Karen's kitchen, luckily for them, she thinks they are cute.

from the starting line (ao3) - possumdnp

Summary: Dan and Phil visit Dan’s family for the first time in a post-coming out universe.

endings are like beginnings (ao3) - wiccamoody

Summary: Dan wakes up in the post-coming out universe.

hey, brother (ao3) - lestered (clonetrobed)

Summary: It’s time for Phil to reintroduce himself to Dan’s family in the proper context, but there’s one member that he’s not entirely confident about connecting with.

I Want to Hold Your Hand (ao3) - CaibrynM

Summary: A minor incident/misunderstanding while traveling to IOM for Christmas leads Dan to reflect on boundaries and comfort levels in the post coming out universe.

i’ll meet you in the light (ao3) - possumdnp

Summary: Phil looks at the photo and sees them how he sees them in his own head, not them as their larger-than-life internet personas. It’s them, happy and at peace with their lives and who they are in 2019. And he suddenly has the strangest urge to share the photo, to show the world how damn happy he and Dan are, despite everything that’s happened in the past.

i'm ready now (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: “When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.” -Billy, age 4 (2 of 2)

Lighter Than Air (ao3) - silentdescant

Summary: Dan and Phil are sappy drunks and they're heading home together.

little comfort card (ao3) - Tarredion

Summary. Phil goes to VidCon alone. Cue separation anxiety, something Dan seems to have accounted for..

meet the howells (ao3) - toffeelemon

Summary: After a decade of going home alone, Dan finally brings Phil along to see his family. As his boyfriend.

(set after the awkward email, before the video)

Nana (ao3) - ahappyphil

Summary: “The thing is, coming out to his family proved to be the easy part. It’s what followed that’s been difficult, more emotionally draining, more vulnerable. It’s like the invisible wall that’s been between them now has physical form. It has a name now.“

On The Road (ao3) - yikesola

Summary: Phil still isn’t quite used to it all being okay. He isn’t used to Dan not fearfully dissecting a tweet reply that called them queer icons. He isn’t used to things like what the two teenagers they bumped into at the airport said when they stuttered out, “I met my girlfriend because of you,” feeling only good. No twinge of bittersweet.

A fic about changes and landscape.

rainbow, proud (ao3) - Tarredion

Summary: Phil really wants the corgi shirt, but Dan thinks he has enough already

Safe (ao3) - TearDrop1234

Summary: Phil is in a mood and works his way through it with a naked Dan.

Safe Place (ao3) - ahappyphil

Summary: The Isle of Man is warm and unseasonably sunny, or maybe it’s just Kath. Maybe her maternal glow just radiates off this little island.

secrets (ao3) - waveydnp

Summary: of sharpie tattoos and facing the bittersweet truths of a post-coming out universe

some killer queen you are (ao3) - possumdnp

Summary: Dan’s enjoyed taking a break from YouTube, but for some reason, he still feels like something is missing. Determined to fill the creative void in his life, he decides to try out something new: drag.

stop speak support (ao3) - calvinahobbes

Summary: There’s just an extra layer of awareness in his mind as he sits next to Phil on the sparsely populated tube on their way to a meeting, and the group of lads in their school uniforms stream into the carriage and start filling up the empty seats.

Strike a Pose (ao3) - ahappyphil

Summary: Walking a red carpet in a post coming out world

words that water flowers (ao3) - neopold

Summary: He would call his nan and ask, like he usually does when life asks unanswerable questions. But she would most likely refer to a bible verse, and he’s not sure he’s up to listening to a book constantly trying to invalidate his existence.

your hoodies (come wrapped around me) (ao3) - Tarredion

Links last checked: August 17th, 2025

fics based around Dan’s video

"...and I didn't tell anyone until now. literally." - farquaadphillywrites

Summary (tw): Dan tells Phil about his suicide attempt.

And Obviously We Were More Than Friends (ao3) - sunflowerwitches

Summary: Dan just finishes making his coming out video and gets awfully nervous. Phil is there, as he is for all of Dan's filming, and comforts him.

Basically... (ao3) - olliebrobeck

Summary: What happened after.

basically he’s gay (ao3) - waveydnp

Summary: dan posts his video and phil has a lot of feelings about it. they both do.

Find Your Own Freedom (and Live Life on Your Terms) - doineedtohaveawordwithyou

Summary - Phil’s inclusion in Dan’s video, his supportive retweet of the link to it, had exposed Phil as much as it had Dan. They’d known it would, had planned it together, taken this step together, as they did every big decision they made.

in love with the colors of you (ao3) - CapriciousCrab

Summary: Phil takes a deep breath and clicks play.

i’ve made it this far on my own (everyone prays in the end) - amazingmitchell

Summary: dan goes to church by himself to deal with unfinished business between him and god. based sometime after 2015.

out of the closet (ao3) - waveydnp

Summary: dan’s birthday, aka their last night as a closeted couple

wave it high (ao3) - watergator

Summary: after dan comes out

what a great day to be gay (ao3) - natigail

Summary: Dan just published Basically, I’m Gay last night and he wakes up with a lighter feeling in his heart and a pair familiar of warm arms ready to wrap around him. It’s a great day to be gay.

What A Great Day To Be Gay (ao3) - TortiTabby

Summary: Dan reflects on coming out in the early morning the day after.

with the words i can’t say (ao3) - watergator

Summary: dan send his family an email.

Young and Beautiful - succubusphan